COMPULSION BILL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8463, 31 May 1916, Page 2

COMPULSION BILL

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

FINE SPEECH BY DEFENCE

MINISTER. (i'er Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 30. In the House this afternoon the Hon. James Allen/ Minister for Defence, moved the second reading of the Military Service Bill. So far, he said, the troops required had been secured by tho voluntary j^'inciple. He referred in grateful terms to the work of the Staff, and the work of women and patriotic societies and local bodies in promoting recruiting. Under tho voluntary principle they had enrolled and equipped 46,000 men and 351 nurses. The Maoris numbered 1019 and Niue Islanders 148. The Reinforcements now in training numbered 11,309. The Maim Body- numbered 7750, and a promise had been given that that force should be maintained, but with other units it was necessary really to keep up forces approaching 22,000 men. The Bill allowed the voluntary system to continue, but it was backed up by a scheme of compulsory service. He considered that compulsory national service was just, democratic, scientific. His personal opinion was that it should have been introduced from the start, btit personal ideas had to be put aside to secure unity of purpose. Up to now the voluntary principle had evidently been successful. It might remain so, but it was necessary to have the backing of compulsory i service. The voluntary principle had I drawn largely on our resources, and it [ was our paramount duty to see that no shortage occurrd in our quota of troops 'until the e7id of the war. Mr Allen outlined the provisions for the various ' classes, and also for. appeals, and explained the enrolment of divisions and the provisions relating to men who failed to enrol. The penalties for breaches of these clauses of tho Act were necessarily heavy. In calling up divisions men would be balloted for, and the selected men gazetted, transferred the day after to the active list, and then called up at onee 3 to meet at a. rendezvous appointed. The men, however, had a right of appeal. It was proposed under th Bill to enable tho Governor in Council to revoke voluntary enlistment in certain districts.

The voluntary principle had failed I in the North in the American Civil War. He did not assert that the position in New Zealand was entirely ana- j logons to that in the States, but ho j deemed it advisable to have power to back up the voluntary system by one of compulsory national service. History recorded that when President Lincoln introduced compulsion, voluntary enlistment had practically stopped, and tho effect of compulsion had been to cause a great increase in voluntary enlistment; -Might? they, not expect ;a similar ...result in New Zealand?. They had only, one object, ■, viz., to win the war. He hoped that recruiting would be so stimulated that it would be unnecessary to introduce compulsion. He supposed the greatest opposition would come from, those who thought compulsion repugnant in a free democratic country; but he held that tho fact of the richest men in the land fighting alongside the poorest was a complete answer to those who contended that compulsion was undemocratic.

Ho did not agree with the contention that married men should go before single men, and Division I included single, men, who would be called upon to go first. The Appeal Board would not°be composed.of military men, but would bo placed under the Minister of Munitions, so that it might have the complete confidence of the country. He believed that under the Bill no shirker would be left in Division I. Married men who had enlisted had done so of their own free will, and would still have that privilege, excepting where single men failed to enlist, when tho voluntary system may be suspended. The Bill was necessary in order to keep our promise to the Motherland. It was necessary to keep our word to those who had gone to the war, to animate them **to still further deeds of sacrifice. It was necessary to maintain our self-respect. He was confident that our-effort would make, for nobler and better things. Mr Wilford said he would be in favour of the principle of the Bill, though he would combat somo of the provisions when the Bill got into committee/ 1

Mr Witty said he approved of the Bill in theory, but ho was afraid of it in practice. He contended that the failure of men to come forward was duo to the fact that they were afraid thoy would not get a fair deal. Ho did not feel secure regarding the Appeal Board. They should have dealt with the cost of'living before bringing this Bill down, so as to ensure that the man who did go to the war, leaving dependents, would know that his family would be properly cared for. A man's life; was worth more to him than another man's money. Every man leaving New Zealand should be insured by the Government for at least £100, and he should be able to keep on the policy at a small premium if he returned safely. He hoped everyone would be treated alike under the Bill. I and that there would be equality of 1 sacrifice.

j Mr Poole pointed out that the success of tho voluntary system could be seen from the fact that 57,000 men were already dedicated to our emancipation. He was not convinced that tho voluntary system had failed, but he was' pledged to a modified form of compulsion. The war had to bo seen through, but they had .to see that no discrimination was allowed. He was afraid of this where the final appeal was to the Governor-in-Council. He wished it made clear by the Minister that men engaged on important private ■ duties, essential to the State, should bo in the same position as if engaged on foreign service. He considered that a young man married before the end of 1915 should have serious consideration. Ho hoped that suggestions for improvement of the Bill made in committee would not be taken as indicative of opposition to the Bill. He also, with the Minister, hoped that recruiting under the voluntary system would be stimulated.

Dr. Newman said that while tho country was against conscription at the beginning of the war, the position was nmv reversed. , Tho country was i now in favour of compulsion! He I nointod o"t that conscription had to j he en W"od in New Zealand in 1868 by >' the' Militia Act. Tlie Minister had j not touched upon several questions in- < volverf in tho Hill. Ten per cent, of , the aliens in the should be y compelled to take some share of tho '

work of locai defence. He likened the power given to the Military Board to handing over a blank cheque. He thought men with five or six children should not be allowed to go to the war. He held that conscription was necessary, as there were men who would avoid their responsibilities if possible. He complained that the regulations dealing with the rejection of unfits i were altogether too drastic. Many men ( sho\ild have their cases reconsidered. I Several thousand men eager to go to the war had ueen rejected, many of them without sufficient cause. In his opinion, history showed that countries that did not invoke conscription were likely to go to the wall. He hoped, the Bill would pass. Dr. Thacker complained that the section providing for voluntary enlistment gave- the Government too much nower. He argued that when the Dreadnought was given, necessary care was taken to provide taxation from desirable sources. He complained that undue haste was being shown in bringing the Bill down. Under the voluntary system we practically had men 'available up to next Christmas, and he contended that a change had not at present been shown to be necessary. 'Every effort had not been .made under the voluntary system. In this connection lie contended that local camps should have bo-en, utilised. :

Mr Webb said it had not been_shown that conscription was essential, 'and urged the conscription .of wealth as a corollary to the,conscripson of men.

Mr Webb, continuing after the dinner adjournment, said the object of the Bill, in his opinion, was to produce cheap soldiers. It was also an insult to the Dominion, which had done so well under the voluntary system. He contended that the Bill hadVot been before the electors, and that no attempt had been made to curtail the cost of living. Mr Wilkinson considered that the country would back up the Government in bringing down the measure. The Bill was a, sign of strength. * It was known that there were shirkers. The men who opposed the Bill wero fighting for a poor cause indeed. Under the voluntary system immature boys had been sent to the front, while ablebodiod men were staying at home. It was apparent that the Bill had already had a good effect in stimulating recruiting. He thought the clause relating to the conscription of married men would have-ito be carefully considored, as many' might be ruined if compelled to give up their engagements at a moment's notice. . . Mr Sidey favoured compulsory service, and condemned voluntary enlistment as unfair. He thought the Bill might be amended in several details in, committee.

Mr Anderson said he had sufficient confidence in the Government that suitable men would be appointed to tho appeal boards, who would act fairly to reservists. He was pleased that the Bill did not provide for exemptions. His experience in the reeeruiting movement was that the Reinforcements could not be kept up without compulsion. He thought the" Bill a good one. Mr Payne 'contended 1 that-..there.'could be! no equity about a system of compulsion that provided for the'exemption of men of particular industries. The Bill would put the clock back 500 year's, and substitute military for civilian domination. If proper provision were made for the payment of married men there would be no necessity for comIpulsion. • Dr. Pomare supported the Bill. He read a letter from Dr. Buck, strongly urging that the Maori Contingent should bo maintained at full strength.

Mr Talbot, while regarding the voluntary system as the ideal, considered it wise to have available the strong backing compulsion would give if required. In supporting the Bill, Mr Harris said that the drain upon the country was only 5 per cent., and he could not see that 95 per cent, of the population was necessary to -keep the Dominion going. He welcomed the Bill as a moans of discovering those who had so far failed to recognise their responsibilities.

Mr Statham dealt with the general principle of the Bili, which he supported strongly. He urged a system of Imperial National Service. He did not consider it a fair thing to conscript the Maori race.

The debate was adjourned, and the Housil rose at 11.15 p.m.